A significant incident unfolded in Logan Square, Chicago, where a masked federal agent deployed a smoke grenade on a crowded street, causing panic among shoppers. The event, captured on video, occurred around noon outside the Rico Fresh grocery store, located at 3552 W. Armitage Ave.
Details of the Incident
A family walking with their toddler witnessed the chaos as federal agents attempted to enter the grocery store’s parking lot. Local witnesses reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had been focusing on this location for several weeks.
Bill Higgins and Jessica Dixon were returning from preschool when they heard honking horns and saw drivers blocking the ICE vehicle. Whistles were blown to alert others as a helicopter monitored the situation from above.
Effects of the Smoke
According to Dixon, the moment the smoke filled the air was overwhelming. She experienced immediate irritation in her eyes and lungs as her husband quickly moved their child in a stroller to safety. “It hit me even before I realized it,” Dixon recounted. “I started coughing, and my eyes were tearing.”
Despite the chaos, their toddler remained unaffected, sleeping through the ordeal. However, the couple expressed their concern about the incident and its implications for their neighborhood.
Community Response
Dixon filed a police report following the event, prompting Chicago Police to initiate an investigation. The incident coincided with heightened ICE activity across the city, raising alarms among residents.
- Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) verified the incident at a press conference, criticizing ICE’s methods.
- First responders reported that numerous individuals were impacted by the tear gas and smoke.
- Residents noted that the smoke had even affected those merely passing by the area.
Community members voiced their outrage and fear. One local, Andrew Denton, described a harrowing experience when agents released gas without provocation. He emphasized the disproportionate impact on the Hispanic community.
Personal Accounts
Another resident, an immigrant from Kazakhstan, shared her shock and fear during the incident. “I thought this is a country where I can have freedom,” she stated, urging officials to prevent future occurrences.
Despite the scary situation, residents rallied together. People honked their car horns and made sure others were aware of the danger. “The mobilization of the community was amazing,” Dixon remarked.
Conclusion
This incident in Logan Square highlights the tensions surrounding ICE activities and their effects on local communities. Residents are left questioning their safety and the increasing militarization of enforcement actions within urban areas.
